Comparison Shopping

A side-by-side look at top training programs lets operators determine which work best for their needs

Then it comes to operator certification, aquatics professionals have three main choices:

• NRPA’s Aquatic Facility Operator. A unique
aspect of the National Recreation & Park Association’s
AFO program is that the certification validity period encourages
education in the discipline every three years. The AFO
certification exam also is available in Spanish and metric. In
2005, NRPA certified 1,259 students in AFO. The AFO is presented
internationally.

•
NSPF’s Certified Pool-Spa Operator. The National Swimming
Pool Foundation’s CPO program is the most widely recognized
one, training and certifying 17,000 pool and spa professionals in
2005. The CPO handbook, exams and MS PowerPoint slides also are
available in Spanish. The CPO handbook is in full color and
includes the metric system. CPO is presented internationally. Also,
it is offered in “fusion” or blended learning format,
where about half of the course is conducted online and the other
portion with an instructor.

• YMCA of
the USA’s Pool Operator on Location. The YMCA is the
single largest owner/operator group of swimming pools in the United
States. It has a distinct perspective in that it actually has pools
that it operates and has learned valuable lessons which are shared
in the course content. The YMCA requires participants to complete a
16-page study guide before the class begins. The POOL exam can be
given in Spanish as well, and PowerPoint slides are available for
instructors.

All of the
organizations listed are not-for-profit groups. These bodies are
the three most recognized for pool operator training in the nation.
The course costs are similar to each certification and range, from
approximately $175 to more than $400 per person.

All three programs
lead to certification, but have somewhat different qualifications
and standards of training. Here is a comprehensive comparison of the programs,
highlighting their differences and similarities.